Thursday, August 19, 2010

Never give up on what means the most

Pin It Now! I have watched this video 5 times this morning. One of the most inspirational things I've seen. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDgVske63cY&feature=search

From the perspective of a parent this video is both heartwrenching and heartwarming at the same time. You could see how destroyed Derek was and the pain on his face makes your heart sink. His entire heart, all his passion, all his focus, all his training and hard work were crushed. But also as a parent, to see your son get up anyway and still finish the race....wow. To know you raised that kind of person, that type of man who won't give up even when he knows he lost. That's just incredible.

I hope he knows that what he did probably changed more lives than if he would have won a medal. He may not have won race, but he did finish. And that was more powerful than winning. He set an example to not quit and inspired and touched the hearts of parents and anyone who has ever been in arms reach of a goal. THAT is something to be damn proud of. My favorite part is when his dad busts past security and is there for him at a point when his son needed someone the most.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Change your world and the world changes....

Pin It Now! ...here it is in all its blinking simplicity: Change Your World, and The World Changes. We are not powerless....

This is not the time to throw up our hands, nor to exhaust ourselves over-defining our problems. It is time to choose our lives. In so doing, we’ll have a rippling impact that will make all the difference.

Consider this:

If we are sick of foreign wars, make peace with our personal enemies.

If we are concerned with our nation’s debt, save our own money.

If we are sickened by materialism, buy only what we really value.

If we are concerned with global warming, conserve, walk, telecommute.

If we are worried about the environment, recycle, plant trees, grow something.

If we are angry with our leaders, propose and post real solutions.

If we are worried about health care costs, eat right, exercise, and sleep.

If we are worried about crime, drugs, and violence, participate in a neighborhood watch.

If we are sad about the decline of marriage, make ours the best example of commitment and fulfillment we can.

If we are worried about terrorists, put some boundaries between ourselves and those who use or abuse us.

I hope you can see what I’m trying to get at. .. These are simply reminders that for every big overwhelming problem in the world, there is a version of it in our lives. If we focus on what we can control, our own lives will bloom and our influence will spread.